In a statement, ASAE indicates that the inspection operation was carried out through the Southern Regional Unit, by its operational units in Évora and Faro, aimed at verifying the authenticity and quality of the olive oil that was being sold in these regions.

The inspection actions targeted economic operators, with commercial links between them, in which the sale of cooking oil such as olive oil was detected “in flagrante delicto”, the statement read.

“Through the investigative steps carried out, it was also possible to determine the location of the economic operator’s warehouse where, in a covert manner, the entire logistical operation of falsifying labelling and organising the distribution channel was carried out”, highlighted ASAE.

During the operation, two criminal proceedings were opened for alleged illicit fraud involving goods, and 2,510 litres of cooking oil, hundreds of counterfeit labels, a goods vehicle, and various documentation indicating the commission of the crimes were seized.

In the statement, ASAE adds that it also collected samples of the seized product, that is, the cooking oil.

These samples will be analysed at the ASAE Food Safety Laboratory for sensory analysis, physical-chemical analysis, and verification of legal requirements applicable to labelling to detect possible fraudulent practices.

ASAE warns consumers to be “attentive” to offers of this type of product priced below expectations, misleading consumers, with the aim of selling other oleic substances such as olive oil.